BRUNSWICK — Bruce McDonald, 75, died unexpectedly June 15.
Born in Portland, July 10, 1935, he was the only child of Vera (Fales) McDonald and Ralph Edmund McDonald.
He graduated from Cony High School and Bowdoin College. Upon graduation he married Elizabeth “Buff” Wagner Grant and enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in the Reserves.
His career in electrical technology, battery manufacturing and marketing with PR Mallory and Duracell spanned many years, and his specialization in lithium batteries brought him around the world, travelling to Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia.
After retiring, he was an active volunteer with the United Way in Danbury, Conn., served as class agent for Bowdoin’s class of 1957, and worked the cash register at the Mid Coast Hospital cafeteria several mornings a week.
His musical talents led him to sing baritone with barbershop choirs, and he performed with Speed Capitol Chorus and the Wild Cards barbershop quartet.
He and Buff loved sailing, and they spent many happy days cruising off the coast of southern New England with their children and grandchildren.
In later years, he was a loving caregiver to his wife as she battled Alzheimer’s disease. Three years after her death, he found love once again and was in the midst of planning his second wedding.
Loved by his family, Bowdoin classmates, neighbors, coworkers, and friends, he was a true gentleman, astute businessman, gentle father and husband, and generous volunteer.
He was predeceased by his wife Buff.
He is survived by his daughter, Jill McDonald, and three grandchildren, Seth Tremble of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Taylor and Kaileigh Tremble of Brewer; his son, Brian McDonald, wife Marianne and two grandchildren, Cory and Meredith of Norwalk, Conn.; and his son Alan, wife Beth and grandchildren Ryan and Lauren of Ellicott City, Md.; his fiancee, Constance Barker of Brunswick and Orr’s Island; his cousin, Marion McDonald of Portland; two sisters-in-law, Patricia Grant Tifft and Alison Grant Small; and several nephews and nieces.
A visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, June 23, at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at the First Parish Church in Brunswick.
Memorial donations can be made to the Bruce McDonald ’57 Scholarship Fund at Bowdoin College.
Memorial condolences can be expressed at brackettfuneralhome.com.
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